We recently connected with Zack Humphreys and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Zack thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
From Dream to Reality: How Perfection Fitness Was Born
By Zack H
When I first imagined starting a fitness business, like most people, I dreamed of owning a gym. But what many don’t realize is that gyms are extremely difficult to get off the ground — and often not very profitable. So instead of going the traditional route, I started in the fitness industry with LA Fitness and worked my way into the gym environment. I believe I was just 21 years old at the time.
It was a fun start, but unfortunately, LA Fitness wasn’t a great company to work for. That said, I learned a lot during my time there — and most importantly, I realized that the real profits weren’t in memberships, but in personal training. That insight shifted my entire focus.
I already had the workout knowledge. I had trained alongside professional powerlifters, bodybuilders, and elite calisthenics athletes — so the training side was second nature to me. What I needed to master was the business side.
After gaining everything I could from LA Fitness, I set my sights on Lifetime Fitness. At first, they didn’t want to give me a shot — but I didn’t let that stop me. I called them twice a day, every day, for months until I finally got the interview. I told the area manager, “If you give me this job, I swear I’ll be the best salesperson you’ve ever hired.” A few months later, I got that opportunity.
I became one of the youngest people ever hired by the company — and after working nearly 10 months straight with very few days off (by my own choice), I made good on my promise. I became the #1 salesperson in the entire company.
Once I’d learned everything I could from Lifetime, we eventually parted ways. I bounced between a few other gyms, but none of them offered the growth I was looking for. I took on a few small jobs just to stay afloat, and later that year, I ended up launching my first business — funny enough, it had nothing to do with fitness.
My intention was to use that business to fund the gym I’d always wanted. But the surprising thing? I discovered I had a natural talent for that business too. It took off quickly. It was doing so well, in fact, that I decided to apply a similar model to fitness — and that’s how Perfection Fitness LLC was born.
Instead of starting with a traditional gym, I launched a personal training company, with the idea that maybe a gym could come later — but it wouldn’t be the core of the business. I wanted to build something lean, efficient, and focused directly on delivering value to clients.
Now, after three years, Perfection Fitness is fully profitable. My first business — which I started nearly seven years ago — is also thriving.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: sometimes life will throw opportunities your way that don’t look like the dream you imagined. Maybe it’s not as flashy, maybe it doesn’t seem to align perfectly with your original plan — but if you stay open and committed, it could take you somewhere even better.
I never thought that just a year and a half after starting one business, I’d already be running two — and now I’m thinking about starting more.
Never doubt yourself. Never ignore opportunity. And always be open to the dream looking a little different than you first imagined.
Zack , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi, I’m Zack — founder of Perfection Fitness LLC and Perfected Canine Obedience. I’m an entrepreneur at heart with a deep passion for both fitness and personal development.
My journey into the fitness industry started young. I began training seriously in my teens, learning directly from professional powerlifters, bodybuilders, and calisthenics athletes. That experience taught me how to master my body — but more importantly, it taught me discipline, work ethic, and the power of a strong mindset. I took my first step into the professional world of fitness with LA Fitness, and later Lifetime Fitness, where I worked my way up to becoming the #1 salesperson in the company — all through relentless focus and the belief that hard work opens doors.
After learning everything I could from those experiences, I launched my first business — which, interestingly enough, wasn’t even in the fitness industry. It was supposed to be a stepping stone to fund my own gym, but it unexpectedly took off. That success gave me the confidence and resources to launch Perfection Fitness LLC, where I’ve spent the last three years building a profitable, purpose-driven business focused on personal training, body transformations, and lifestyle coaching.
What We Do at Perfection Fitness LLC:
We specialize in custom personal training for clients who want real results — whether that’s fat loss, muscle building, strength training, or improving their overall confidence and health. We take a hands-on, holistic approach that’s not just about reps and weights — it’s about building a better lifestyle. Our goal is to not only change bodies, but to transform mindsets and create lifelong results.
What Sets Us Apart:
What makes us different is our authenticity, accountability, and personal investment in every client’s journey. Unlike big-box gyms that treat people like numbers, we treat our clients like partners. Our programs are customized, flexible, and built around real life. We understand the emotional and mental side of transformation — and we’re not afraid to meet people where they are and walk beside them toward their goals.
I’ve built this company from the ground up while also running a second business (Perfected Canine Obedience), which I’ve owned for over 7 years. Balancing both has taught me that success isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing the right things with intention and passion.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m proud of the impact I’ve been able to have on people’s lives — seeing someone gain back their confidence, get into the best shape of their life, or simply feel strong and proud of themselves again is what it’s all about for me. I’m also proud that both of my companies are fully profitable and self-sustaining, something that isn’t easy in today’s economy — especially for small businesses.
What I Want People to Know About Me and My Brand:
I want people to know that I didn’t start with money, connections, or a head start. I built everything from hustle, grit, and the belief that if I kept going, I’d figure it out. I’m living proof that your dream doesn’t have to look traditional — and that you don’t have to follow the crowd to build something powerful. Whether it’s fitness, business, or personal growth, I bring that same energy into everything I do — and that’s the foundation of Perfection Fitness LLC.
We’re not here to offer cookie-cutter workouts. We’re here to change lives.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the greatest examples of resilience in my journey didn’t happen in business — it started in my childhood.
Growing up, I was constantly underestimated. I was bullied throughout school, labeled as someone who wouldn’t amount to much. I was placed in IEP classes, and teachers told me I’d never make more than $30,000 a year. My own mother, while always loving, was deeply concerned about my future because of my struggles in school. And my father? He told me flat-out that I’d end up either homeless or in the military — because in his eyes, I wasn’t going to make something of myself.
On top of that, we didn’t grow up with much money. Life was hard. And by the time I hit my freshman year of high school, I had become overweight — chubby and insecure, with even more reason to be picked on and doubted.
But that’s when something shifted.
My mom, despite everything we were going through financially, saved up her own money to pay for me to get a personal trainer. That moment changed my life. Over the next three months, I lost 60 pounds, and more importantly, I gained confidence, focus, and purpose for the first time in my life. That transformation wasn’t just physical — it sparked my passion for fitness and planted the seed for everything I do now.
That experience taught me that change is possible, even when the world tells you it’s not. It showed me that with the right guidance and belief — even just one person who supports you — you can turn your life around.
That fire stayed with me. It’s what pushed me to go from being rejected by Lifetime Fitness to becoming their #1 salesperson. It’s what gave me the courage to start two successful businesses from scratch. And it’s what drives me to help others make their own transformation — not just in body, but in belief.
Resilience, to me, isn’t about being perfect — it’s about refusing to accept the limits other people try to put on you.
And that’s why I do what I do.
Have you ever had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my life happened after I left Lifetime Fitness. At the time, I had built a strong reputation and even became the #1 salesperson in the company — but I knew deep down that I wasn’t done growing.
Even with all the success, something was missing. I wanted more ownership, more freedom, and more impact. I didn’t just want to work in a business — I wanted to build one. So I took a risk, walked away from the corporate gym world, and started exploring my next move.
The funny part? My first business wasn’t even in fitness. It was actually in the dog training industry — something I had a personal interest in, but never thought would become a full-fledged business. I started Perfected Canine Obedience with the idea of using it to generate income so I could eventually fund my dream of starting a gym. But to my surprise, the dog business took off. I had a natural talent for it, it started growing rapidly, and before I knew it, I had built a profitable company from the ground up.
Still, that fire for fitness never left.
So I pivoted again — this time back into my passion. But instead of starting with a full-scale gym (which is often unprofitable and tough to maintain), I applied the lean, client-focused model I had developed in the dog training business and used it to launch Perfection Fitness LLC, focused on personal training and transformation coaching.
That second pivot worked even better than I imagined. Now, I run both businesses, and they’re each profitable and growing.
What I’ve learned is that sometimes the path to your dream isn’t a straight line. You might take a detour that doesn’t look like part of the plan — but if you stay open, stay committed, and trust your instincts, those pivots might lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Today, I’m proud to say I’m doing what I love in two different industries — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.perfectionfitnessllc.com/
- Instagram: @perfectionfitnessllc
- Facebook: Perfection Fitness LLC